I've been really thinking through my situation in life and come to the conclusion that I don't wait on God very well. What I mean is, when I know God has a change for me, I don't do well in the interim. I cut off relationships or don't care about the relationships if I'm going to leave them anyway and I feel a lot of bitterness about those things that bother me when usually I take them in stride. Basically, I just kind of 'give up' on the here and now and live for the future once I know that the future brings a change that I look forward to.
So my question is- is this normal? Do others go through this? And, most importantly, what can I do about this from a practical point of view?
(Now, I know you're all going to tell me to pray- I've been doing that. I'm just wondering if there's anything a little more 'hands on' or anything like that I can do in addition to the prayers that I'm constantly sending up.)
Waiting can be hard--especially when you have nothing else to do. In my life, though, I get into many situations where I have to wait. When you have no car, you have to wait on public transportation or friends a lot. lol So I've learned to do things in the meantime. I carry books, I strike up conversations with fellow passengers, I usually have my musical instruments with me anyway, and if nothing else, I pray and think.
Sometimes if the LORD tells you He's got something else for you, you still have to continue doing what you're doing for a while. That's what he said to Daniel after the massive revelations: "And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end...But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days." (Daniel 12:8-9, 13)
So, pray, definitely; but while you're praying, don't neglect other things. And don't forget to get close to God. May He continue to bless you, my beloved sister.
I find myself having to "find something to do" until God does His thing. I noticed that when God moves, he moves quickly.
I would like to ask you a silly question: Did you ask for patience? If you did, I'm afraid it's being answered! It seems that when people ask for patience, suddenly they find themselves in situations where patience is needed big time!
Don't worry, it happens to us a lot. We get frustrated with our present and hope for the future, but we must start focusing on the present in preparation for the future. It's OK to be looking to the future, but we must live the present and prepare for whatever may happen. If you think a job change is coming up, prepare for it.
This past summer, I was getting very frustrated with my job situation, but then one day, I got to thinking, (or maybe God asked me) what if my new job has me moving somewhere? So I went down into my shop and started to clean things and arrange things, packing things I have not used in a while and know I was not using. After a few hours of making as much of a mess as I was cleaning up, the phone rang. It was my job contracting company offering me a job here in VA. I will have to move if I take the job.
So find something that you know you feel you should be doing, preparing for, have been putting off, and see where the Lord leads you. You will be focusing on the present, while preparing for the future, and staying out of Gods way in the mean time!
I did that back in the 80's when I was in Atlanta. I was frustrated with my relationships with women, or the lack of. And I decided to go to school and start studying computer programming. After a while, I got to dating a lady that I met a few months earlier, and she is my wife today. I'm not a computer programmer now, but it did prepare me for my current job today by having some understanding and set new goals for myself later in life.
When I find myself wandering in circles wondering what God wants me to do next, I just start cleaning up, go to the book store, take a walk, anything that will get my mind off of worrying about the future. Whatever it is, be prepared.
A man was found in his home by a friend and this man had nothing on but a tie. The friend asked, "You are naked and wearing a tie! Why?"
The man answered, "I got on a tie in case I have company!"
God has something he is doing for you, and like a child, we continually ask him what it's in the bag. It's a surprise! Look the other way and do something until God calls you in to see! I can see the smile already on your face! Be excited! Jump up and down! Feel the joy and peace, knowing God is preparing a place for you. Start packing, cleaning, preparing, take a walk, sing a song, just stay busy. Or, just sit quietly and listen. Either way, God is doing it, not us.
I learned the hard way not to pray for patience. Since "Tribulation works patience", I have no desire for tribulation in my life. I've already had more than my share of it in my opinion and don't want any more.
At this point someone will say "thank God for trials, they have made me strong." The focus is on the faith that is being tried not on the trial. If the trial finds no faith the trial will over come you. Patience is built as the trials, one after the other, crash into your faith and fall away. Thank God for faith!
Bearone
I like to add something that I have been telling myself and other people. "We was not born with patience but we have to learn patience." Patience is one of the hardest things to learn, especially, with God. God is faithful to carry out what he has planned for us, so learning to be patience with God has great reward.
I know better than to ask God for patience as He always answers that prayer in a wayward way. LOL But I can see what you mean about keeping myself busy in the meantime. That's actually what I've been trying to do. One of the things that I've been ardently pursuing is re-connecting with my nudist friends and community online and in the real world. This is helping me to 're=find' myself and to be comfortable again. With my roommate 'outlawing' nudity of any kind in the house, I've been without nudism for quite some time and was feeling stifled. Now that I'm reclaiming some ground I'm feeling a little more relaxed and at-ease. I'm not doing anything drastic or non-Christian, mind you. Unlike some nudists who would go about the house nude regardless of her opinion, I'm confining myself to nude while sleeping, behind my closed bedroom door (this is limited as I have to keep the door somewhat open most of the time so the cats can come in and out), and when she's not home. I think to go beyond that would be wrong as it would be offensive. Anyway, reclaiming what was mine feels good as does reconnecting with old friends. Maybe that's just what I need to get out of this tough season.
I'm also thinking that things truly are pretty difficult right now, which has been identified to me by several people at work. If that's the reality- because of huge class size (new this year- last year I had 18, this year I have 28 so far), because of some 'nuts' in my class when I've not had kids quite this emotionallyi impaired, and because of a nutty new schedule that was just adopted this year- then I need to really pray about how to deal with and overcome the bad. Things are just complicated by knowing that the bad is shortlived for me. Perhaps I can focus on praying for my colleagues that are staying at the school rather than focus on my leaving.
Another thing that I'm realizing is that I'm very nervous about everything coming through with the upcoming hopeful changes in my life. The new teaching certification (in NYS) has not come through yet as I only fully applied for it a week or so ago. Then I have to find a job and an apartment. None of that is in 'my' hands, which always makes me nervous. I'm not good at depending on God. Now's a good time to learn.
So, there it is. My psychoanalysis of how things are. I think what you said is right and I have to just keep on keeping on. So that's what I'm going to try to do. And keep praying. Thanks for all of your tips and ideas.
I'd say your handing things pretty good.
I can relate to many of your feelings and reactions as I'm going thru the same. I'm lossing my job of 10+ years the end of the month. So ya we have some anxioty about these changes, but it would be not normal to not feel any pressure.
Why should we make "normal" our goal for anything?
I've seen normal and I don't like it.
Cutting off relationships because you anticipate going somewhere else someday is a bad choice. Cutting off relationships because you anticipate going somewhere in 22 seconds is a bad choice. More to the point, it's a coping mechanism for avoiding pain and lots of people do it, but that doesn't make it a good choice. Having said that, what you have with your roomate is not a "relationship". Is there such word as conflictship? It's okay to stay out of her way and keep your naturism low profile for now.
Life sometimes hurts, sometimes it feels good. What we do to avoid hurt also takes us away from the good things and good people.
Life is not some place you go to someday where all your dreams are fulfilled. Life is right now, even the kingdom of heaven is here and now. (even in an imperfect world). It's okay to have something to look forward to, but there's such a thing as tripping on tree roots because you are looking too far ahead too often.
This is something I say in my prayer nearly everyday, especially when I pray with my family:
"This is the day that the Lord has made. Lets rejoice and be glad in it and give thanks."
Its from Psalms 118:24, with an added "give thanks", or "give thanks always".
But we need to be reminded that THIS is the day that the Lord has made.
I hope we have been an encouragement to you. sometimes I feel we are preaching too much and not listening enough.
How about this: Let us know what you are going to be doing today, and we'll pray for your success and joy throughout. But that means you have to get on here early in the morning or at least the night before and post your plans or what you are going to be facing. Maybe a student of yours needs prayers for them. Whatever is on your heart, let us know and we'll put that in our prayers for today.
Re: You got prayer warriors here...Today...right now!
November 21 2007, 1:20 PM
Sounds Like A Great Idea To Me! And with Thanksgiving tomorrow it's a great time to start so here goes:
Tomorrow I will spend time with family. My mother, who is 81 years old, lives with us and really does not want to be here (not to mention my wife & I don't get to be nude around the house any longer). Anyway there is usually tension when we are all together so guys, pray for a good Thanksgiving for my family.
Well, strange thing, we got my MIL here too, and she _doesn't_ want to leave. But at least we can be nude.
Since we just moved here and have not had a chance to get to know anyone (or they, us) it's just us at home. So, I'm nude today. Would love some company though.
It's just warm enough to be nude outside some, wind blowing, but not bad. If I can be nude, I will, even when others grab a sweater.
For you: May the holy spirit blow through your house and clean out all the tension and worries, and may it leave behind peace and joy this day...and the days following. Amen
Thank you Boyd and everyone else for their prayers. We had a great Thanksgiving. BTW it was warm & windy here as well(near Charlotte). So much so that we had to open some windows with all the heat generated from the cooking. It's getting lots cooler today though.
I had a great thanksgiving, not au natural, but with family. It was wonderful to see my nieces and nephew again and to enjoy spending time with my sisters and mom. We went Black Friday shopping together and bonded with our love for the children. We rarely bond. So life was good.
Getting away was an answer to many prayers as it let me 'let go' of a few things for a while. Sure, I'm back to my regular life for a while, but I had a respite and that's what I needed.
We all need to get away once in a while. Even Jesus had to find solitude, but he didn't always "get away" in solitude, sometimes he visited family as well.
